The Carlyle Group Announces Its Acquisiton of ACIS from Inflexion Private Equity

London – Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announces that it has acquired ACIS, the U.K.’s largest supplier of Real Time Passenger Information systems (RTPI) from Inflexion Private Equity. Financial details are not disclosed.

ACIS leads the market for RTPI on buses and at bus stops across the U.K. and is currently partnered with 45 local authorities, supporting their transport needs with its ‘BusNet’ system. BusNet utilises GPS tracking, wireless communications and tailored software to enable local authorities and bus operators to monitor and manage large fleets of buses, increase bus patronage and reduce costs. Bus transport has proved itself to be a cost-effective means of meeting the congestion and pollution targets laid out by central Government in the U.K. plan. By providing real time information on buses, at bus stops and at other public locations, the public is more likely to use bus transport.

ACIS has an emerging international presence and has deployed BusNet systems in The Netherlands, Scandinavia and the Middle East. The company currently tracks over 4,000 vehicles and delivers information to over 30,000 information points. It employs 140 people, is headquartered in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire and has R&D operations in Cambridge.

Carlyle has invested in ACIS through Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP), its €222 million fund dedicated to growth capital and buyout investments in technology-driven companies across Europe. This is CETP’s second investment in the fast growing telematics industry. In May 2006, Carlyle acquired a majority stake in Transics N.V. a developer and supplier of fleet management systems for the haulage industry.

Commenting on the industry, Nazo Moosa, The Carlyle Group said, "We have identified the telematics industry as an emerging market with very attractive investment characteristics and believe it is well positioned to grow further."

Ian Buckley, CEO, ACIS said, "We are delighted to be partnered with Carlyle and we believe that Carlyle will be of great help as ACIS enters its next stage of development. We have ambitious plans to grow further, both in the U.K. and internationally, and with Carlyle’s global presence and deep financial resources, we believe it is ideally placed to help us achieve our goals."

Building on this theme Chris Hodges, The Carlyle Group added, "In line with rising international attention to the environment, Carlyle will provide the resources to help ACIS and its customers reduce congestion and pollution in a cost effective way, whilst significantly enhancing the overall end-user experience in the public transport sector."

David FitzGerald, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group said, "We are delighted to have closed this investment in ACIS, and we are looking forward to partnering with the ACIS team. ACIS has an excellent team which has been highly successful in winning contracts and deploying RTPI systems across the U.K. This is our sixth investment from our current fund, and we continue to execute on our strategy of investing in technology companies worth between €25 million and €250 million. CETP closed in May 2006, and with this investment we are now more than 60% invested/committed."

This investment was sponsored by David FitzGerald and led by Nazo Moosa, Associate Director and Chris Hodges, Associate Director. Carlyle was advised by Latham and Watkins and KPMG, and financing was provided by Barclays Leveraged Finance.